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Eco-evolutionary dynamics in competitive systems: Rescue or murder?

Leoz, S.; Lutscher, F.; Allhoff, K. T.; Govaert, L.

2026-01-14 ecology
10.64898/2026.01.14.699340 bioRxiv
Show abstract

Rapid evolution in response to changing environments can have beneficial (e.g. evolutionary rescue) or detrimental (e.g. evolutionary suicide) outcomes for the survival of one species. Responses of multi-species systems are even harder to predict, but important to consider. Using a Lotka-Volterra competition model, we simulate eco-evolutionary dynamics in one- and two-species systems, with two traits per species: physiological performance and competitive tolerance. In the single-species system, evolution is consistently beneficial, enabling evolutionary rescue. In contrast, in the two-species system, evolution can be beneficial or detrimental. Notably, when evolution enhances the competitors persistence, it can result in evolutionary murder of the focal species. Furthermore, the effect sizes of evolution on species persistence are strongly modulated by whether both traits evolve, and by the shape of ecological and evolutionary trade-offs. Our study enables exploration of eco-evolutionary dynamics in more complex biotic settings, extending understanding of species responses to abiotic and biotic changes.

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